Studies of Penetration of Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin into Wood Cell Walls with the SEM and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Analyzer 1

The following technical note is offered as an extension of and a rebuttal to the article by Bernard M. Collett in the Summer 1970 issue of Wood and Fiber , 2(2): 113-133. We were impressed by the historical review and technical coverage given to SEM by Mr. Collett. However, we felt that readers of Wood and Fiber would be left with an erroneous, or at least incomplete, impression of the analytical capabilities of this instrument. Admittedly, accessories are required to accomplish what is described in the following preliminary note. Nevertheless, we were of the opinion that some indication of this type of instrumentation potential should have been made in the article. Actually, his diagram in Fig. 3 included X-ray detection, but no mention of its use was made. In fact, the emphasis on the secondary electron detection mode when used for studies of the interface between wood substrate and adhesive or coating was perhaps too great.